Department of Health and Social Care

Covid-19 Update

Maria Caulfield: His Majesty’s Government (HMG) led the world in vaccinating our population against COVID-19. We remain committed to protecting the most vulnerable as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).The JCVI has published further advice on the COVID-19 vaccination programme. The JCVI advice is that a COVID-19 vaccine should be offered in spring 2024 to those at greatest risk of serious disease and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination. Those eligible are:adults aged 75 years and over;residents in a care home for older adults; andindividuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in tables 3 or 4 in chapter 14a of the UK Health Security Agency’s Green Book).Throughout the pandemic, older people have been amongst those most likely to experience severe disease if infected by SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Existing data on hospital admissions in the UK are consistent with the clinical risk continuing to be higher in those aged 75 years and above.The JCVI advice is that this further spring dose should be offered around 6 months after the last vaccine dose and with a minimum gap of 3 months.HMG has accepted this advice and I am informed that all four parts of the UK intend to follow the JCVI’s advice.The JCVI has also provided advice on which vaccine products should be used as part of the spring 2024 COVID-19 programme. The committee has advised that for spring 2024, the latest COVID-19 XBB-variant vaccines are considered preferable; and mRNA Omicron XBB.1.5 COVID-19 variant vaccines which have been pre-procured as part of the UK’s pandemic emergency response are considered the most cost-effective vaccines for use under existing circumstances.Considerations on future COVID-19 vaccination programmesThe JCVI will continue to review the optimal timing and frequency of COVID-19 vaccination beyond spring 2024. The on-going increase in population immunity permits the development of a more targeted programme aimed at those at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 disease. As the UK moves towards routine procurement and delivery of COVID-19 vaccination, cost-effectiveness will become a major determining factor in future advice pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccination programme. The JCVI advice indicates that, based on the most recent cost-effectiveness assessment, any autumn 2024 campaign may be smaller than previous autumn COVID-19 campaigns. The JCVI will give further advice on this in due course.Notification of liabilitiesI am now updating the House on the liabilities HMG has taken on in relation to further vaccine deployment via this statement and accompanying Departmental Minutes laid in Parliament containing a description of the liability undertaken. The agreement to provide indemnity with deployment of further doses increases the contingent liability of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. HMG is already looking to move to vaccine market standard indemnity provisions for the procurement of future COVID-19 vaccines.I will update the House in a similar manner as appropriate, as and when any future decisions impact the contingent liability of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Cabinet Office

UK Statistics Authority Contingencies Fund Advance

Alex Burghart: The Minister of State, Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, has today made the following statement:I hereby give notice of the Statistics Board’s intention to seek an advance from the Contingencies Fund totalling £28,500,000 to enable cash expenditure ahead of the passage of the Supply and Appropriation Act.The cash advance is required to support additional Resource expenditure associated with the Future Population and Migration Statistics Programme, the Public Sector Productivity review, various Budget Cover Transfers and lease payments recognised as non-cash items at Main Estimate.Parliamentary approval for additional resources of £23,500,000 and additional cash of £5,000,000 will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the Statistics Board. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £28,500,000 will be met by repayable cashadvances from the Contingencies Fund.The cash advances will be repaid upon receiving Royal Assent on the Supply and Appropriation Bill.

Home Office

Government Response to the National Crime Agency Remuneration Review Body Ninth Report 2023

James Cleverly: I am today announcing the government’s decision on pay for the National Crime Agency (NCA) for 2023/24, supporting the government’s manifesto commitment to strengthen the NCA. The NCA Remuneration Review Body (NCARRB) report on pay for NCA officers at grades lower than Deputy Director for the NCA will be laid before Parliament today and published on Gov.uk. I would like to thank the Chair and members of the Review Body for their work on gathering evidence from the NCA, the Home Office, HM Treasury and the Trade Unions, resulting in their detailed, comprehensive report. The Government values the independent expertise and insight of NCARRB and takes on board the useful advice and principles set out in response to my remit letter of 15 August 2023. This Government is committed to supporting the NCA in its fight against serious and organised crime (SOC) and on 13 December 2023 announced its new five-year SOC strategy. The NCA plays a pivotal role in leading the SOC Law Enforcement system to disrupt and dismantle the most harmful organised crime groups operating in and against the UK. In particular I would like to highlight the key contribution of NCA officers towards disrupting the organised crime groups that facilitate small boat crossings. A strengthened NCA needs to be able to set clear strategic and operational direction and develop shared capabilities to drive efficiencies. A strong pay framework is vital to the NCA being able to deliver this role and maintain its operational performance. SOC is evolving rapidly in both volume and complexity, and I have been clear that the NCA needs to transform to meet new and evolving threats, and to tackle the highest harm offenders, head on. Part of this transformation includes being able to attract, recruit and retain the right people, particularly those with technological skills. I have accepted the Review Body’s recommendations in full. The award for 2023/24 is as follows: A total consolidated pay award of 7% in remuneration costs (IRC) for all officers Grade 1-6. The spot rates for Grades 1 to 5 and the minima and maxima of the standard pay ranges for Grades 1 to 6 will also be raised by 7%.A 7% increase to the London and South-East Weighting Allowance. Building upon the NCA’s overall pay strategy and exceeding the historically high pay uplift given in 2022/23, this award represents the highest settlement the Agency has received in its history. In reaching this decision, I have given due consideration to a number of factors including: the value NCA Officers add to the public by protecting them against the threat of serious and organised crime, the impact of inflation on Officer pay, and delivering value for the taxpaying public. The award will be fully funded within the NCA’s existing budget. I am positive that the award for NCA officers will support the Agency in its mission to disrupt and dismantle the most harmful organised crime groups operating in and against the UK.

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Directions to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in respect of the Springfields Nuclear Site

Andrew Bowie: I am today laying a new Designation Direction in respect of the Springfields Nuclear Site. This amends the existing Designation Direction. This power has been exercised in accordance with section 5(4) of the Energy Act 2004, with the consent of Springfields Fuels Ltd (SFL).This amendment enables new uranium conversion capabilities to be developed at Springfields, work on which should be delivered by the end of the decade. This is in line with HMG’s commitment in the Nuclear Roadmap and is a key part of reducing international dependence on Russian fuels.